[vox-announce] Linux Users' Group of Davis, October 15: "Home CNC Machining with Linux"

[nbs]

The Linux Users' Group of Davis (LUGOD) will be holding the following meeting:

  Monday
  October 15, 2012
  7:00pm - 9:00pm

Presentation:

  "Home CNC Machining with Linux"
  Steve Inness

  CNC (Computer Numerical Control) mills and lathes can be built
  relatively inexpensively by hobbyists. These machines can machine
  aluminum, steel, brass, plastic, and other materials. They can engrave
  aluminum or plastic. They can route and "V-carve" wood. They can make
  printed-circuit boards by machining off the thin copper layer.

  This meeting will demonstrate actual machining, describe the
  electronics, and show how to install and use free open-source software
  under Linux.

  Attendees will get a chance to take home their own engraved/machined
  object.

About LinuxCNC:

  LinuxCNC (previously "Enhanced Machine controller") is an open
  source software system to implement numerical control capability --
  the automation of machine tools (e.g., milling machines and lathes)
  that are operated by abstractly-programmed commands (as opposed to
  controlled manually via handwheels or levers, or mechanically-automated
  via cams alone) -- using general purpose computers (PCs).

  Originally developed by NIST (the National Institute of Standards and
  Technology) as a 'reference implementaton' of the industry standard
  language for numerical control of machining operations (RS-274D,
  aka G-code), the project demonstrated the feasibility of an advanced
  numerical control system using off-the-shelf PC hardware running
  FreeBSD or Linux.

  LinuxCNC provides several graphical user interfaces including one
  for touch screens, a "G-code" interpreter, a realtime motion planning
  system, operation of low-level machine electronics (such as sensors
  and motor drives), an easy-to-use "breadboard" layer (for quickly
  creating unique configurations for your machine), a software PLC
  (programmable logic controller).

  A variety of interfaces are supported, and up to 9 axes can be moved
  simultaneously. It can operate true servos or stepper motors. Motion
  control features include: cutter radius and length compensation,
  path deviation limited to a specified tolerance, lathe threading,
  synchronized axis motion, adaptive feedrate, operator feed override, and
  constant velocity control. Support for non-Cartesian motion systems is
  provided via custom kinematics modules. Available architectures include
  hexapods (Stewart platforms and similar concepts) and systems with
  rotary joints to provide motion such as PUMA or SCARA robots. (Refs:
  linuxcnc.org and Wikipedia)

This meeting will be held at:

  Yolo County Library, Mary L. Stephen's Davis Branch
  Blanchard Community Room
  315 East 14th Street
  Davis, California 95616


For more details on this meeting, visit:

  http://www.lugod.org/meeting/upcoming/#next

or simply:

  http://www.lugod.org/ (and follow the links)


For maps, directions, public transportation schedules, etc., visit:

  http://www.lugod.org/meeting/library/


------------
About LUGOD:
------------

  The Linux Users' Group of Davis is a 501(c)7 non-profit organization
  dedicated to the Linux computer operating system and other Open Source
  and Free Software.

  Since 1999, LUGOD has held regular meetings with guest speakers
  in Davis, California, as well as other events in Davis and the greater
  Sacramento region.  Events are always free and open to the public.

  You can find LUGOD on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lugod/
  and on LinkedIn at: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=35879

  Please visit our website for more details:  http://www.lugod.org/


-- 
Bill Kendrick
pr at lugod.org
Public Relations Officer
Linux Users' Group of Davis
http://www.lugod.org/

(Your address: vox-announce at lists.lugod.org )